I stand here today proud to have worked with you over the past two years to make Pennsylvania a better place to live, work, and raise a family.

The results we have accomplished make me optimistic about our future. And I'm pleased to say, I believe Pennsylvania’s best days are ahead:

We are a state blessed with a wealth of natural resources.

We are and always will be the Keystone State because of our unique location in this country and the world.

We are, most of all, home to the hardest-working people in the world.

Pennsylvania has unlimited potential.

Two years ago, I talked about creating a brighter future for all Pennsylvanians.

And, over the last two years we have worked together to make that a reality.

We have worked together to bring spending under control.

We have worked together to reduce taxes, putting more money in the pockets of our hard-working taxpayers and small business owners.

We have worked together and learned that our potential is, and continues to be, greater than any challenge we face.

Together we continue to seize every opportunity to create success which leads to more success and more success. We didn’t create our success by raising taxes. We created it by expanding our opportunities.

With the leadership shown by you we have kept spending within our means. Our energy industry continues to expand providing tens of thousands of new jobs for hardworking people in all regions of our state.

In the west, it promises thousands more new jobs when we succeed in attracting the new petrochemical plant and the hundreds of new businesses that will spring up around it.

In the north, it is delivering thousands of jobs as the economy expands. We passed a law that further safeguards our environment, addresses the impacts of new industry and helps bolster our economy. For example, residents in Bradford County will see their property taxes reduced by six percent this year.

In the southeast, three refineries survived almost certain closure when their owners, and most of the industry, had given up on them. But we didn’t give up.

Working in a true bipartisan effort that is all too rare today, I joined with elected leaders like Congressman Pat Meehan, Congressman Bob Brady, Senator Dominic Pileggi, Representatives Bill Adolph and Bill Keller, and Marcus Hook Mayor James Schiliro.

With business leaders like Brian McDonald, Gustavo Valverde, and Pat Killion.

And with union leaders like Jim Savage, Leo Gerard and John DeFazio to find new owners and a new future for those refineries.

We were able to show new investors like Phil Rinaldi, David Marchak and Jeff Warmann, the skill, work ethic and limitless potential of the Pennsylvania worker.

And we were able to share with those new investors the vision of Pennsylvania’s energy future as a world leader.

Please join me in applauding all of these people for showing their faith and commitment to Pennsylvania.

Today, those refineries still employ thousands and support thousands of more jobs, from the truckers who drive in and out with deliveries, to the lunch counters and small shops that will continue to thrive in the shadow of those plants.

I want to read you a letter I received from one of those business owners.